Lens Metric Scores

Further readings for the Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Canon

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With a full-frame 18-Mpix CMOS sensor and twin Digic 5+ processers that’s capable of continuous bursts of up 12 fps – the fastest of any professional DSLR currently - the Canon EOS-1 Dx is the firm’s flagship press camera. We’ve assessed it with over 100 EF mount lenses, to see how well they perform. Read on to find out which models are the best optically and which, if any, you should avoid.

At less than half the price of the marginally wider, slightly faster Zeiss 24-70mm f4, this in-house Sony model looks like a tempting alternative, but can it meet the demands of the high-resolution sensor in the A7R? Read on to find out.

Introduced in July this year, the EOS 70D at first sight seems like a regular update to the maker’s mid-range EOS 60D model. It shares a number of features with the firm’s existing SLR range including a 19-point cross-type phase detection AF system, a 3-inch (1.040M dot) articulated touchscreen and built-in WiFi connectivity with remote viewing and image transfer. The camera can also shoot at up to 7fps and has 1080/30p video recording with stereo sound using an optional external microphone.

After the runaway success of the full-frame 35mm f/1.4, Sigma is taking the initiative with this new ultra-high speed, pro-level standard zoom designed for APS-C format cameras. The specification is particularly promising, but does it mean the end of fixed focal lenses for APS-C? Read on to see how well this cutting-edge model performs in our labs.

After comparing the imaging chain of the full-frame Canon EOS 5D Mk III across a raft of lenses, we’ve now turned our attention to the APS-C format EOS 700D / REBEL T5i / Kiss X7i. The 18.1-Mpix ‘Hybrid CMOS’ sensor in this camera is similar to those of the same size and pixel count used in the firm’s other models, including the semi-pro EOS 7D, so it may still be of interest even if you don’t own a EOS 700D / REBEL T5i / Kiss X7i.

The Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD is distinguished by being the first fast standard zoom for full frame cameras to include optical image stabilization. The fact that it does so in a design that includes a ring-type ultrasonic motor for fast, silent autofocus and a degree of weathersealing (Tamron uses the term 'drip-proof'), all at a significantly lower price than Canon's non-stabilized EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM that was announced around the same time, might lead you to think suspect must be some serious compromise involved in its design. But there isn't.

Announced in February 2012, the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lens Di VC USD is the latest full-frame, fast aperture standard zoom from the Saitama, Japan-based optical firm and is the first of its type to add VC (Vibration Control) image stabilization. Costing $1299 and available in Canon, Nikon and Sony fittings (the latter albeit without VC) and featuring USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) technology, it’s an obvious alternative to the pricier offerings from the top-names. Could this lens be a contender in the IQ stakes? Read on to find out.

First replies for this comment

Re: Tamron vs Nikon lens comparison

After holiday sales, I got D600 with 24-85mm VR lens and very happy with my choice of full frame DSLR and quality of the lens. Since than I am checking daily your website with hope to get DXOmark scores on that lens on D600 or D3X. There are a lot of those lens used and tested already with conflicting reports from different testing websites on quality of that lens. My friend bought 5D Mark III with 24-70mm 2.8L lens and we went to photo trip together. When we compared and discussed photos from that trip we agreed that overall quality of the equilalent photos is very close. Being an engineer I am waiting for numerical confirmation. I am pretty sure that the scores will be high. I generally agree with your testing results and your test data are are helping me in my future lens selection.

Re: Tamron vs Nikon lens comparison

Re: Tamron vs Nikon lens comparison

I am expecting 24-85mm VR test on D600 to come out this week as you promised in last post. A lot of people would like to see new 18-35mm 3.5-4.5 G ED tested too. I trust DXO labs tests for my lens selection, because I need to make decisions in few days. Thank you.

Re: Tamron vs Nikon lens comparison

Still waiting for 24-85 3.5-4.5 VR and new 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 results. Cameralabs demonstrated that 24-85 3.5-4.5 VR has better resolution than Tamron 24-70 2.8 at infinity. My new 18-35 f3.5-4.5 way better than 24-85 3.5-4.5 VR even without VR. Contradictory to your conclusion that 5D mark III is almost a match to D800 in image quality, I think it's probably will be a numbers match to D600 with consumer zooms :D.

24-70 comparison

Just having difficulty figuring out how the Sony CZ 24-70 scores low compared to these 3? Sharpness is higher than all 3, transmission is in line with both Canon and Nikon, distortion is at the top level along with the Tamron, vignetting it beats all 3, and CA is the same as the Canon (right between the other two). This should put is slightly in front of the pack, but then read about the 'blue bar range' for different FL - ok so here it seems about on par or maybe a little better than the Tamron and Nikon, but not as good as the Canon.

So how does it score a 21 when it exceeds certainly at the very least the Nikon (where it equals or beats it in all metrics) and the Nikon gets a 24 overall score? I know these are tested on different cameras, but how does that effect the weightings?